A popular boutique hotel has been named the best in the UK.

The Rose in Deal High Street has been declared the winner in The Sunday Times' Best Place to Stay list - a prestigious guide to the UK's top 100 hotels.

The guide describes the former pub as a “revamped boozer with boutique bedrooms and first-class food that has helped transform the coastal town of Deal into a holiday hotspot”.

Co-owner Alex Bagner said she is “bursting with pride” at receiving the accolade.

“Hats off to our incredibly talented and dedicated team - most notably Elliot, our general manager, David, our head chef and Joe, our bar manager,” he said.

“A huge thank you to all our guests, our dear, loyal, and brilliant community here in Deal, and to all those who come to visit, stay, and enjoy.

“We’re in this game because we love showing people a good time in Deal, and we intend to keep doing so.”

A landmark on Deal's High Street for more than two centuries, The Rose reopened in May 2018 as a boutique hotel, bar and restaurant - less than a year after former landlord Steve Plews shut the pub.

Its restaurant and rooms are now decorated with wood flooring, vintage furniture, modern art and fashionable colours.

Dishes at The Rose range from grilled king oyster mushroom on toast to salt-baked celeriac and pickled quince.

In 2022, food critic Jay Rayner gave a rave review of the site’s “achingly pretty” food, adding that it was “utterly delightful”.

Commenting on its latest award, Susan d’Arcy of The Sunday Times said: "One of the things that has impressed us most when travelling around the country this year is the welcome.

“Hotel teams appreciate that there's a lot of choice out there, and they're really going the extra mile to deliver friendly and knowledgeable service. It makes all the difference to a stay."

The guide is split into 10 regions, with winners selected in 13 different categories.